The Stake.

5

Taking her tea cup Shahwar moved around and saw a big wood and glass door revealing a serene garden outside. She sat down on the floor with her tea in her hands not opening the door to go outside and stared at the moon shining through the glass.

She didn't want to think much otherwise it would be difficult for her to cope. Minutes later she was done with her tea and went back upstairs to the room. Upon entering she saw Rehaan sleeping, "Zubaan ke pakkay hain. After dinner bola tha aur after dinner sou gaye." She muttered to herself and went to wash her face towards the bathroom.

(He's a man of his word. He had said he would sleep after dinner and he did.)

Coming out of it she decided to put her things in order inside the closet. Her luggage was mostly untouched and she started setting her clothes, bags, shoes, undergarments, makeup, jewelry inside the huge wardrobe room that already had Rehaan's entire collection all put together. She put her things wherever she saw space. After clearing her whole six bags of luggage of everything they had inside she was satisfied with herself and came out into the room.

She slipped into the bed covers on the other side of the bed with minimal sounds and force as she turned to lay down. Switching off the lamp on her bedside she could only see the luminance of the moonlight entering the room through the terrace doors. As much as she had thought it would be easy to let go of everything, it wasn't especially inside the lonely room. She missed abba ji. Her abba ji. How would she go on with her life? No clue. Why did he not choose her over this marriage where she was all alone? An hour or so later she drifted off to sleep.

The next day she woke up to find no one next to her. Rehaan had left probably. She got cleaned up for breakfast and went down to prepare something for herself. She'd never been a person who'd sleep in late. This was the first time in many years that she had overslept.

When she got down breakfast was already being brought out for her on the table by the workers. Not wanting to waste the food that was already being served she sat down and started eating. Isabel passed by giving her a short nod and smile moving inside the kitchen. When Shahwar was done with her food she got up to clear the table but again the workers were ahead of her movement and cleared the table before she could begin.

A man walked towards Isabel and told her that the decorating vendor had arrived. She went to guide them towards the open air area of the backyard for the reception party. She came back and found her Madame sitting on the couch stuffing pieces of guava into her mouth on the couch.

She walked towards Dur e Shahwar, then told her that her dress and other accessories for the event had been received and she was to be ready before evening. Shahwar just nodded at everything she was being told and continued eating her fruit with much more interest.

Till late afternoon the makeup artists had arrived and Shahwar was taken to a room to be made presentable. She didn't try to ask for any preferences of her own and let them do whatever they wanted to. The dress that she had to wear was truly stunning, it was white, silk, with multiple tiny handmade silk buttons on the back. She'd slipped it on and the buttons went down from her back to her lower hip which were done by the woman who was helping her get ready.

There was a breathtaking selection for jewelry in front of her. Apparently her husband had some jewelry business and she'd received many from her in laws on the wedding too. Now more of it was sent for her to wear for the occasion. Something that appeared to be an eye blinding diamond necklace was wrapped around her neck and a pair of diamond studs on her ears. The hair artist started with her hair and tied it into a bun with few of her hair strands falling down to her cheeks making her look prettier.

It was almost evening by the time she was done. Everyone left except for Isabel who escorted her to the lounge where Rehaan was waiting for her. He was in a sleek black suit and Shahwar felt herself tremble for a moment when he held her hand as she stood in front of him. "Just smile most of the time, they're all waiting." He gestured to the glass opening from the lounge to the backyard where the guests were already there. She could see through the airy curtains over the doors.

He led her outside opening the door and everyone turned their attention towards them and applauded as if this was some reality show. Rehaan's hand went down her hip and he settled it there holding her as they walked. For him it was all a show, but for Shahwar it was sending her tiny shivers that she was trying to hide. She could even smell his scent, which was too addictive and strong.

"Smile." He whispered into her ear reminding her and she felt her breath thinning out.

"Hm." She blinked and then smiled like fake doll looking at the foreigners around the house.

In the first few minutes many people had come to them, mostly French, some others were from Turkey and some from Britain congratulating the couple on their wedding. Shahwar felt like her cheeks were hurting from the constant smiling. Ten more minutes later she wanted to push her cheek muscles to stop from the stressful stretching. When two men left right after talking to Rehaan and no one had yet approached them she decided to finally address the matter.

"Rehaan." It was the first time ever she'd said his name, that too with such softness he had to clear his throat to shrug off the effect.

"Yes?" He looked down at her face that was constantly blinking with a small pout looking up at his face.

"Bund kardun ab please?" She blinked harder to stop her shivering, she didn't know if he'd make her do it as a punishment for asking now or say something to insult her.

(Can I stop now please?)

"Kya?" He had no clue what she was talking about.

(What?)

"Smile karna. It's hurting." There was a certain tinge of fear in her voice which made Rehaan tense his muscles.

(Smiling. It's hurting.)

"I'm not a dictator Shahwar."

"Aap ne hi bola ke smile kartay raho."

(You asked me to keep on smiling.)

"Itna ziada bhi nahi ke takleef ho." For Shahwar that much was enough to lose her hesitation and she excitedly passed him a final small smile later relieving her jaw from the pain as she looked around.

(Not to an extent where it starts hurting.)

I'll post one chapter extra for this week today. 🤍